Louis Semple Clarke was an engineer, inventor, and co-founder of the Autocar Company. A quiet innovator, he introduced key advancements that shaped modern driving: porcelain spark plugs, left-hand steering, shaft drive, and circulating oil systems. Clarke’s engineering vision carried Autocar into truck manufacturing, making him an unsung pioneer of American automotive and trucking history.

Old Dominion Freight Line started in 1934 with Lillian Congdon’s $1,700 savings and a single truck hauling eggs from Norfolk to Richmond. After Earl Congdon Sr.’s passing in 1950, Lillian led the company through years of growth. From its modest beginnings, Old Dominion has stayed resilient and determined, marking 88 years in 2022.

Clessie Cummins, founder of the Cummins Engine Co., improved on and designed new diesel engines. Cummins also virtually eliminated brake failures in steep downhill travel with his engine compression-release brake—known today as the “Jake Brake”—that he designed and patented.

Leland James founded Consolidated Truck Lines in 1929, building a transcontinental network through acquisitions and fleet standardization. When no one would build his lightweight cabover trucks, he launched Freightliner in 1942. His push for custom designs and double trailers reshaped trucking, and his legacy still drives the industry today.

In 1938, Frederick McKinley Jones was charged with a mission that would revolutionize the refrigeration industry. From humble beginnings, Thermo King Corporation emerged as a titan in the trucking industry. Known for pioneering portable air-cooling units for trucks and prioritizing innovation, Jones’s legacy continues to shape the modern landscape.